How To Find A Nasal Spray For Allergies

Whether you experience allergy symptoms occasionally or every day, there’s not much worse than the feeling of a stuffy nose and itchy, watery eyes disrupting your day.

If you’re looking for a simple over-the-counter treatment for allergies, a nasal spray for allergies may be able to help. Here’s how to find a nasal spray for allergies.

What Is a Nasal Spray for Allergies?

Nasal sprays for allergies are treatments applied locally to the nasal passages that may or may not contain medication and are used to help relieve allergy symptoms affecting the nasal passages.

Symptoms commonly treated or prevented by nasal spray for allergies include runny nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, itchiness, or dryness.

What Should You Look for in a Nasal Spray for Allergies?

When choosing a nasal spray for allergies, there are several factors to consider, including the type of symptoms you are experiencing, how fast the nasal spray works, and any sensitivities or allergies to active ingredients that may be found in some nasal sprays.

Symptoms of Allergies

One of the most important considerations when choosing a nasal spray for allergies is the type of symptoms you are experiencing, as some nasal sprays are better suited than others for treating certain symptoms.

For example, people who are looking to reduce nasal congestion associated with a stuffy nose may choose between steroid nasal sprays, antihistamine nasal sprays, and decongestant nasal sprays.

Steroid nasal sprays are effective at reducing inflammation in the tissues that line the nasal passages, but they work slowly to relieve symptoms so you may not experience maximum relief for two to four weeks. As a result, steroid nasal sprays are recommended for prevention of future symptoms of allergies rather than treating acute symptoms.

Antihistamine nasal sprays work more quickly than steroid sprays and can be very effective at treating symptoms of congestion. They work by blocking the action of histamine, a chemical produced by the body in response to exposure to an allergen. Histamine is responsible for many of the symptoms commonly associated with allergic rhinitis, such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy watery eyes. Patients experiencing acute allergy symptoms that want quick relief from a wide range of symptoms may find the best relief from antihistamine nasal sprays. However, antihistamine nasal sprays can cause drowsiness as a side effect in some people and are best used at night.

Decongestant nasal sprays work by narrowing dilated blood vessels in the nasal passages that can cause the stuffy, congested feeling associated with allergies. Decongestant nasal sprays work quickly, like antihistamine nasal sprays, so you’ll get relief in just a few minutes. However, they are not designed to treat other symptoms commonly associated with allergies, such as sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, or a scratchy throat.

Saline nasal sprays can help by adding moisture to the nasal passages and rinsing out allergens that may be stuck in the mucus in your nose, which may help to minimize the symptoms that you experience. However, saline nasal sprays aren’t medicated, so while they can help rinse out excess mucus and allergens that could be trapped in your sinuses, they will not treat allergy symptoms.

Timing of Allergy Symptoms

It is also important to consider the timing of your symptoms when looking for a nasal spray for allergies, as each type of nasal spray provides relief along a different timeline.

Decongestant nasal sprays work very quickly and are effective at treating acute allergies symptoms, particularly congestion. However, decongestant nasal sprays can cause a rebound effect and should not be used for more than three days. As a result, they’re not a good option for people who consistently suffer from allergy symptoms.

Antihistamine nasal sprays also work quickly but do not contribute to a rebound effect when used on a daily basis. These sprays work within minutes and can be used daily to control perennial allergies or even seasonal allergies.

Steroid nasal sprays work more slowly than other types of nasal sprays, so they’re not appropriate for relieving symptoms quickly. If you are congested and miserable due to allergies, a steroid nasal spray may leave you looking for relief elsewhere because they can take two to four weeks to provide maximum symptom relief. However, people who know they have seasonal allergies or perennial allergies can use a steroid nasal spray to prevent the onset of allergy symptoms and to keep symptoms under control for extended periods of time. Thus, they are considered a long-term solution.

Saline nasal sprays do not contain medication, but they can immediately help provide moisture, wash out allergens, and clear excess mucus from the nasal passages. These sprays and rinses can be used multiple times per day, every day, but they may not treat the cause of allergies or provide relief from other symptoms, such as sneezing or itchy, watery eyes.

Sensitivities or Allergies to Active Ingredients

Another factor to consider when choosing a nasal spray for allergies is that some people have allergies or sensitivities to certain types of ingredients and may not be able to use all types of nasal sprays safely, particularly those that contain medications.

Antihistamine nasal sprays contain medication that can make you sleepy, which means they may not be a great fit for individuals who take medications that are also known to cause drowsiness. Antihistamine nasal sprays also are recommended for use at night because of this reason, so people who need relief during the daytime may not be the best fit for an antihistamine nasal spray.

Decongestant nasal sprays are not considered safe for use in children under the age of four, as decongestant ingredients have been found to be unsafe and ineffective in young children. It is possible for young children to experience serious and potentially life-threatening side effects when using decongestant medications in any form.

Corticosteroid nasal sprays are a good fit for many people looking to prevent allergy symptoms from occurring or minimize their expression, but some people may have allergies to steroids or be particularly sensitive to their effects.

By contrast, saline nasal sprays do not contain any medications. While they do not treat symptoms or prevent symptoms from beginning, they can provide some additional comfort or relief. Saline nasal sprays are safe to use in people of all ages and are considered very gentle.

Are There Any Side Effects Associated With Allergy Nasal Spray?

In general, allergy nasal sprays are associated with fewer side effects than other medications for allergies, including oral tablets or capsules, because the delivery of the medication is localized. Each of the different types of allergy nasal sprays is known to cause slightly different side effects. However, most side effects are mild and go away on their own.

Side Effects Associated With Saline Nasal Sprays Include:

• Abnormal or salty taste in the mouth
• Sneezing
• Cough
• Nose irritation
  

Side Effects Commonly Associated With Decongestant Nasal Sprays Include:

• Temporary stinging or burning in the nose
• Dryness of the nasal passages
• Sneezing
• Runny nose

Side Effects Associated With Antihistamine Nasal Sprays Include:

• Bitter taste in the mouth
• Temporary burning in the nose
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Sneezing
  

Side Effects Associated With Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays Include:

• Burning, irritation, or dryness inside the nose
• Sneezing
• Throat irritation
• Itchiness in the throat

Summary

When looking for a nasal spray for allergies, there are three important factors to consider, including including the type of symptoms you are experiencing, the length of time that you are experiencing symptoms, and any sensitivities or allergies to active ingredients that may be found in some nasal sprays.

Antihistamine nasal sprays and decongestant nasal sprays act quickly to treat allergy symptoms but may cause undesirable side effects, and decongestant nasal sprays can only be used for three days at a time.

Corticosteroid nasal sprays can take two to four weeks to take full effect but can be used for the long-term prevention of allergy symptoms.

By contrast, saline nasal spray does not contain any medication and can be used multiple times per day, every day, if needed for relief.